ignorant of France, and will not listen to the opinions of those who could enlighten him. It is supposed that the King is determined to push matters to extremity, to try the Chambers, and if his Ministry are beaten to dissolve them and govern _par ordonnance du Roi_, then to try and influence the elections and obtain a Chamber more favourable than the present. Somebody told her the other day of a conversation which Polignac had recently had with the King, in which his Majesty said to him, 'Jules, est-ce que vous m'êtes très-dévoué?' 'Mais oui, Sire; pouvez-vous en douter?' 'Jusqu'à aller sur l'échafaud?' 'Mais oui. Sire, s'il le faut.' 'Alors tout ira bien.' It is thought that he has got into his head the old saying that if Louis XVI. had got upon horseback he could have arrested the progress of the Revolution-- a piece of nonsense, fit only for a man 'qui n'a rien oublié ni rien appris.' It is supposed the Address will be carried against the Government by about 250 to 130. (It was 221 to 180. ---- has a _tabatière Warin_ of that day, with the names of the 221 on the lid.) All the names presented to the King yesterday for the Presidency are obnoxious to him, but he named Royer Collard, who had twice as many votes as any of the others. It was remarked at the _séance royale_ that the King dropped his hat, and that the Duke of Orleans picked it up, and they always make a great deal of these trifles. The Duke of Orleans is, however, very well with the Court, and will not stir, let what will happen, though he probably feels like Macbeth before the murder of Duncan-- If chance will have me King, why let chance crown me Without my stir. [1] [Lord Stuart de Rothesay was then British Ambassador in Paris.] [2] [Married to Count de Flahault; in her own right Baroness Keith and Nairn. She died in 1867.] March 8th, 1830, at night {p.285} Walked about visiting, and heard all the gossip of Paris from little Madame Graham, who also invited me to Pozzo di Borgo's box at the Opera. I don't mean to record the gossip and scandal unless when I hear something out of the common way and amusing. Dined with Stuart; Tweeddale, Gurwood, Allen, and some heavy _attachés_; no French. He appears to live handsomely. Afterwards to the Opera to see Taglioni, who did not dance; then to Madame Appony's, to whom I was introduced, and we had plenty of bowing and smirking and civilities about my family. Rather bored at the party, and am come home quite resolved to be off on Thursday, but am greatly puzzled about my route, for everybody recommends a different one. March 9th, 1830 {p.285}